Aiming to promote the concepts of entrepreneurship and upcycling of reusable materials, The Muslim Students Association (MSA) have embarked on its flagship initiative for 2014, titled ‘The Humanitarian Project: Repurposing Waste’.

The project is part of the MSA’s Green Dean South Africa initiative, and is being run in collaboration with the South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF). It aims to collect second hand clothing and reusable items from students at various tertiary institutions, before affording designated entrepreneurs the opportunity to set up their own businesses and sell those items.

According to a press release issued by the MSA, the initiative would seek to tackle poverty amongst the countries more destitute communities.

“MSA takes the view that we should make a sustainable contribution towards underprivileged communities in South Africa. We should strive as a society to empower people and overcome poverty. We also aim to create mass student involvement and raise awareness on our campuses,” read the press release.

Apart from clothing, the drive will seek to collect outdated and second hand electronic devices and components, described as ‘electronic waste’. In addition, they were also appealing for the donation of ‘upcycling materials’, which could be reused and re-purposed into alternative products.

The entrepreneurs tasked with selling the products will be handpicked by SANZAF. According to the MSA statement, those individuals would also receive special training at the hands of SANZAF, to ensure the ‘continuity and success of the project’.

“This project is envisioned upon an eradication of social apathy, replacing it with social development. We aim to empower people with the opportunity to start businesses of their own as well as educate people about the importance of repurposing waste,” read the statement.

The MSA urged students to get involved and make contributions towards the initiative, whilst also mobilizing family and community members to do the same.

The project takes place from the 15th-21st September, at various campuses across the country.

For more information on the initiative, or where to find the nearest collection point, visit the website http://greendeen.msa.org.za/.

You can also like the Facebook pages ‘The Humanitarian Project’, ‘Green Deen Campaign South Africa’ and ‘MSA Union’, or follow @MSA_Union and @MSA_GreenDeen on Twitter. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)